Merilyn Reese Parkin

Merilyn Reese Parkin passed away peacefully November 18, 2017 surrounded by her family.  She was born March 30, 1935 in Logan, Utah to Arvel Charles and Gene Heninger Reese.  She was awarded the Presidential Scholarship from Logan High School and skipped her senior year to attend the University of Utah on a full ride scholarship where she graduated with a degree in elementary education. She was sealed to Darrell Lloyd Parkin September 27, 1956 in the Salt Lake City temple. Her testimony of our Savior was unwavering and she served faithfully in many church callings, including Stake Primary President, Relief Society President, Gospel Doctrine teacher, chorister, relief society teacher, visiting teacher and even a den leader for the cub scouts, as well as a Temple Ordinance worker in the Bountiful Temple. Merilyn loved to read, loved music including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Utah Symphony. She loved live theater and dance, and above all she was a true red blooded U of U fan and Crimson Club member. She enjoyed morning walks with her friends, Sunday dinners and birthday dinners with family, weekly outings with her sisters, attending her DUP and Book Club meetings, and watching sports on tv with her family.

Merilyn had a love for children and after graduating from the U she became an elementary school teacher and preschool teacher.  After taking time off to raise her children, she returned to teaching In the Davis County School District.  She taught for more than 20 years in elementary school and was also a music teacher for the same district. She was an accomplished cook and her homemade rolls and pies were amazing.  She enjoyed bottling and canning fresh fruits and vegetables from their garden, and made some homemade soups that were everyone's favorite.  She played the piano and loved to sing, but her true passions were being a Mother, a Grandmother and the wife of a Marine.

She loved traveling the world and taking cruises with her husband. The last trip they enjoyed together was to Israel and Jordan which they had been looking forward to for a long time.  She was able to serve a mission with her husband and they were lucky to serve in the Honolulu, Hawaii mission where they met many wonderful people and she fell in love with the Hawaiian culture. They served a second mission at the Church Office Building in Military Relations where they spent many happy years.

Merilyn leaves behind her daughters Pam (Russell) Seifert, Paige (Paul) Adams, and sons Andrew Parkin, Maurice (Terri) Redhouse, and Cassidy Redhouse. Also, her sisters Mona, Linda, Louise and brother Kent, 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Darrell, her son Gregory, brother Carlton and her grandson Jason.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, Nov. 28th at the Bountiful Tabernacle, 51 N. Main St.  Viewings will be held Monday, Nov. 27th at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main, Bountiful, Utah from 6 – 8 pm, and Tuesday the 28th from 9:45 – 10:45 am prior to the service at the church. Interment at the Bountiful City  Cemetery.